I need your help. I offered to do the cake for a baby shower, and decided to do the stand up 3d teddy bear cake. the 1st time (following instructions) the cake ripped because it was too then. It also happened the second time. Now there is a note in the directions that state that you can also leave the core inside the cake and just decorate. I don't want to do that. Can't I just bake the cake w/out the core? can i just fill in the holes w/cake and decorate? I need help.

I've not used my pan yet, but when you use the core are you filling the core with cake to make a cake plug to fill the hole?

also are you using a dense cake or a spongy cake recipe?

Yes...I filled the cake core with batter, let it bake, and inserted the cake in the whole, but Im having a problem with the cake ripping around the face of the bear--and even after i've made sure there where no air bubbles. I want to bake without the core, but I don't know if I should do it.

ok, so the holes you want to fill with cake are the holes on the face where the cake has torn?

What are you using to grease your pan? For detailed cakes like that it's very important to make sure each crevice and detail is well greased and floured. I use spray with flour. Baker's Joy for example.

You can always fill in any damage on a cake with more cake or icing and decorate. If it's the face, then you don't have to worry about the structure being weak. The only concern I would have baking without the core is that it might not bake all the way through. But if you want to try it, then go for it. Just know that the edges might get a little crispier than you want for the center to get all the cooked.

I hope that information helps some.

yes..it does...I do use Bakers Joy to grease my cake pans. I filled in the whole with left over cake, and I set it in the freezer until I am ready to decorate it. can I decorate it while still frozen? My fear is that when it thaws out, it will be a little fragile, even if it is pound cake.

What about trying something like this?

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1340204.html

http://publix.com/food/catalog/ProductDetail.do?id=126

Ive made these cakes a lot. The lion and monkey was for my own baby shower. I can tell you how to make them. They are carved, though. Dont know if you interested in that.

I also bake the core inside and then remove the cooked cake from the core and then re-insert into the bear. I have done many of these bears and I know what you mean. The key is to let it cool according to directions - I have learned the hard way that that makes the biggest difference. The directions are very specific on the cooling procedures and I have followed these to a tee and so far have been okay. Good luck, I'm sure it will come out beautiful!!!

I have made this cake several times. One thing that you have to know is you have to use much more spray in your pan than you would for a normal cake. Almost to the point where you think it's really too much. Another thing I learned by accident is that if you fill the pan and don't get it in the oven right away the cake will stick. I don't know if it's because the batter and the spray are mixing together or what, but the first couple I made I had that problem and now that I get them in the oven right away they never stick anymore. If you decorate your cake while it's still frozen the condensation from your cake thawing might ruin your design so that might not be a good idea.

Hi
im making a standing up 3d bear cake at my cookery class at school and rather than using a wiltons mould or what ever im using 4 pyrex glass bowls and cooking the cake in them. Its easier to fill the centre with cream or jam and you still get the round shape, its easier to cover with fondant icing. Hope this helps

ellsbells

The type of cake batter you use is also most important. I've done this cake many times with no problem. Like the directions recommend, I use one pound cake mix and one regular cake mix, both prepared according to the package directions.

I also cool the cake like they recommend, turning it from one side to the other. It is important to remove one side and let it cool. This also lets out the steam, which unfortunately makes for a drier cake but makes the cake hard enough not to fall apart.

I made my first 3-D teddy last weekend and too had a small tear around the face. I was cutting ears off to make a dinosaur so I made spackle and filled it in - also used spackle to build up the thickness of the arms so they would be more noticeable and to build up his snout. Spackle is a wonderful thing!

I never use the core in the teddy bear pan and I use the WASC recipe. Every time I've used the core the bear has split apart as if I was doing an autopsy on it. I use cake release and lube the pan up like crazy. When the bear comes out of the oven I lay it down on one side and let it sit for 5 minutes, then remove one half the pan and let that side cool 10 minutes. Then I replace the pan, turn and remove the other half and let that cool 10 min. After that I take the bear out, wrap in saran and freeze till needed.

I used WASC also - may I ask what temp and how long you baked it to get center done?

I bake at 325 for around 55 minutes. I usually set the timer for 45 and check every 5 minutes from there. Only minor problem I've had is the neck cracks but after the cake is cool I shoot some buttercream into the crack and it holds just fine.

Thanks so much